The International Organization for Migration reported on Tuesday that more than 53,000 people fled Port-au-Prince between March 8th and 27th, escaping the gang violence plaguing the Haitian capital.
According to the International Organization for Migration, "In addition to triggering internal displacement within the Port-au-Prince area, attacks and prevailing insecurity have pushed more people to leave the capital in search of refuge in provinces, exposing themselves to danger through routes controlled by gangs."
Efforts are underway to gather data to better understand this phenomenon and allocate necessary resources to the most urgent needs.
It's worth noting that eight out of every ten people left due to gang violence, with about six out of ten stating they will remain in the area as long as necessary.
Furthermore, more than half of the individuals (53%) chose their final destination because they have roots there, and nearly all of those surveyed (97%) confirmed they have family to host them.
While neighboring countries express concerns about facing a refugee influx, 96% of those surveyed expressed a desire to stay in Haiti.
In contrast, only 3% wish to go to the neighboring Dominican Republic, and less than 1% to the United States and Brazil.
The country has been grappling with poverty, natural disasters, political instability, and gang violence for decades.
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